Accountant I na City of Oak Harbor, WA

About the Department

This position performs a variety of intermediate level professional analytical and accounting functions, including the preparation of various financial reports per requirements established by the State of Washington and City ordinance, resolution, or policy.  Perform and coordinate the maintenance and production of accounting reports and records and ensures compliance with established accounting procedures and practices. Utilize the City’s financial systems, ensure accuracy of financial information; work as part of a team serving internal and external customers; and consistently provide quality services.

Position Duties

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following depending on area of assignment, crew needs, emergency services, special projects, and seasonal factors:

Collect, coordinate, prepare, research, and analyze a variety of complex reports for Federal, State and local agencies, and the city while ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statements (GASB). Perform professional accounting services such as general ledger, internal controls, accounting system setup and functionality, capital assets, project accounting, and grant management and reporting.  Perform professional financial services in matters such as City budget, long-term capital planning and capital improvement planning development, balancing, and reporting; accounts payable; and various special projects, as assigned.
 
Within this Classification series, an Accountant will be assigned primarily to one of the areas below; however, all Accountants work closely, and responsibilities may overlap. For backup and succession planning purposes all accountants will be operating as part of a team to ensure that the work of critical activities and functions are able to be done by a minimum of two (2) employees in the Finance Department; cross-training on tasks is a vital and necessary component of this position. 
 

• Establishing and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City officials, department heads, co-workers, supervisors, and the public using good judgement to handle customer complaints, respond to inquiries and resolve concerns in a positive and timely manner using tact and courtesy, sometimes under stressful situations.
• Coordinate, prepare and/or assist in the City’s annual financial report including statements such as the balance sheet, income statement, and budgetary comparison statement, statement of cash flow, statement of net assets and statement of activities. Prepare other financial schedules, spreadsheets, and financial projections during the year to support annual report requirements.
• Develop and maintain current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) with step-by-step instructions for critical functions; test SOP’s periodically to ensure they are accurate and adequate.
• Collect, prepare, post, and retain monthly journal entries.  Balance journal entries at the fund level and distribute financial reports to City users.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and/or annual reports for the Finance Director, Boards, and City Council including, but not limited to budget variance, finance status, general ledger, and project accounting and progress reports.
• Maintain schedule of accounts payable check runs for management and City Council approval. Prepare, enter, and process high-volume of invoices, check processing, ACH payment processing, scanning, reconciling statements, cross-training, indexing, account coding, invoice filing, issue resolutions, and respond to vendor and department inquiries. 
• Reconcile all City cash accounts to the general ledger monthly.  Retain reconciliations and bank records in orderly fashion.
• Assist the Finance Director and City Staff in the development and update of the Long-term Capital Plan and assist other departments with the development and update of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan.
• Setup and maintain project accounting on multi-year projects, be a resource to project managers for financial reporting and tracking.
• Participate as a member of the audit team during the City’s annual audit by members of the State Auditor’s Office.
• Administer and maintain the City’s chart of accounts, set up new accounts, and update or convert into the City’s financial software.
• Assist the Finance Director and City Staff with the development of the biennial budget, mid-biennial budget update, budget amendments, budget adjustments, and researching budget variances.
• Auditing departmental, finance, sales tax, and business licensing accounts for discrepancies as needed or requested by Department Directors or as part of annual verification.
• Participate on the team that manages accesses, maintains, and upgrades the City’s Financial and/or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
• Serve as a financial resource to other City departments and perform duties such as preparing revenue and expense statements, reconciling general ledger accounts, preparing journal entries to record financial transactions, and researching budgetary variances.
• Assist in day-to-day training and coaching and be a resource to department and city staff.
• Cross train with other departmental staff on accounting and finance duties.

Associated Functions:

• Attend various continuing education meetings, seminars, and conferences.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
No direct supervisory responsibilities though may lead the work activities of others. 
 
Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.
 
Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting principles and the fundamental theories in accounting and finance.
• Automated finance and accounting information systems.
• Technical accounting, financial management, investment, audit, and tax practices in a government environment utilizing municipal finance and accounting systems or ERPs.

Skill in:

• Written and oral communications.
• Mathematics.

Ability to:

• Compose complex correspondence and reports as well as ability to research, organize and compile data into meaningful reports.  
• Solve problems and provide a decision and/or recommendation and to communicate complex information orally and writing.
• Work under the pressure of multiple projects and deadline situations.
• Perform work activities neatly and accurately.
• Work independently of specific instruction but in conformance with established practices and procedures as well as the ability to assist in day-to-day training and resource functions.
• Utilize standard office equipment including personal computers and associated City and department-specific software.

Minimum Qualifications

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.
 

• Associate degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Public Administration, or related discipline.
• Three (3) years professional work experience in finance, accounting, budget, statistics, forecasting, or internal audit experience, preferably in a government setting.
• Excellent computer operation skills and experience with a variety of software programs including Microsoft Office applications, database, customized and menu-driven programs, including finance & accounting and ERP systems. Strong MS Excel and MS Word skills required.
• Valid Washington State driver's license and ability to provide a driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.  
• Complete a comprehensive criminal background screening to include credit check to be bonded, prior to hire.

 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or similar designation.

Other Qualifications

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in the performance of the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
 
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to move or remain stationary for extended periods of time and access all areas of the facility including stairs.  Work requires ability to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other equipment; the ability to communicate information and ideas so others understand, ability to observe details at a close range, and occasionally moving items more than twenty-five (25) pounds.
 
Safety Statement:
We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying, and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans. 

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